Taoiseach discusses
North West regional priorities
22.02.21
AN Taoiseach Micheál Martin
met members of the North West Strategic Growth
Partnership and North West Regional Development Group on
Thursday, February 18, to discuss regional growth
priorities for the North West City Region.
The virtual meeting took place at the invitation of
Councillors of the North West Regional Development
Group, in the context of an ongoing collaborative
approach by Donegal County Council and Derry City and
Strabane District Council and their strategic partners
in the region and in central government, to deliver
economic growth and investment, environmental, social
and community cohesion for the region, in conjunction
with and supported by both the Irish Government and the
Executive Office. |
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An Taoiseach Micheál Martin at virtual
meeting of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership
and North West Regional Development Group. |
The meeting was attended by
An Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and Co-Chair
of the NWSGP, Cllr Rena Donaghey and Mayor of Derry City
and Strabane District Council and Co-Chair of the NWSGP,
Cllr Brian Tierney; the Chair and Vice Chair of the
North West Regional Development Group, Cllr Sandra Duffy
(Derry City and Strabane District Council) and Cllr
Ciaran Brogan (Donegal County Council), as well as the
Chief Executives of Donegal County Council and Derry
City and Strabane District Council, John McLaughlin and
John Kelpie, along with senior Government and Council
officials.
The purpose of the virtual meeting was to directly
discuss with the Irish Government a range of updated
regional priorities for the region, which are based on a
statement submitted by the region at the invitation of
the North South Ministerial Council following its
Plenary Meeting in December 2020. The statement of
regional priorities provides a range of options for
scaling up co-operation and development work between
local and central government on both sides of the
border. These priorities include the replenishment by
both administrations of the North West Regional
Development Fund and a range of other priorities which
the region needs to release the full economic potential
of the North West as a cross-border functional economic
area.
An Cathaoirleach Cllr Donaghey welcomed the Taoiseach’s
commitment to the North West City Region to date and
acknowledged how the North West has continued to play an
important part of the agenda for North South
Co-operation since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the
establishment of the North South Ministerial Council,
and the subsequent establishment of the NW Strategic
Growth Partnership and the NW Regional Development
Group.
She said: “The meeting today allowed us to discuss in
detail the range of opportunities that are available to
Central and Local Governments, working through the
mechanism of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership
to take forward a shared approach to inclusive and
sustainable growth, economic development and social
wellbeing for the entire NW City region so it can
realise its full potential.”
Members attending the meeting re-emphasised to the
Taoiseach the key priorities for the region and the
important role the Irish Government has to play in
supporting the efforts to improve road, air, rail and
sea connectivity of the region and in supporting
sustainable ‘green’ growth. The need to enhance
university and third level education provision and
improve job and skills opportunities, as well as
increased investment in tourism and innovation were
emphasised. So also was a co-ordinated approach to
improve the physical, mental health and well-being of
those living in the region as a key component of a
sustainable economy. |
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